Portable information terminal, a control method for a portable information terminal, a program of a method of controlling a personal information terminal and a recording medium having recorded therein a program of a method of controlling a personal information terminal

ABSTRACT

The present invention is applied to a portable personal computer or the like having a plurality of wireless communication means, for example, so as to provide a user with appropriate wireless communication means in a situation where a plurality of wireless communication means are available. According to the present invention, the wireless communication means is selectively used in accordance with an application program with reference to a communication management table in which at least wireless communication means allowed to be used is described with regard to respective application programs.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present document is based on Japanese Priority Document JP2002-147163, filed in the Japanese Patent Office on May 22, 2002, theentire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a portable information terminal,a method of controlling a portable information terminal, a program of amethod of controlling a portable information terminal and a recordingmedium having recorded therein a program of a method of controlling aportable information terminal, and, by way of example, may be applied toa cellular phone having a plurality of wireless communication means orthe like. In the present invention, wireless communication means isselectively used in accordance with an application in correspondencewith a management table in which at least wireless communication meansallowed to be used with regard to respective application programs isdescribed so as to allow a user to use appropriate wirelesscommunication means in a situation that a plurality of wirelesscommunication means are available.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Conventionally, a variety of wireless communication meansincluding those used in a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a cellularphone network and the like have been provided for information processingapparatuses such as personal computers.

[0006] As an exemplary method using such a wireless communication means,in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-274816 publication,for example, there is suggested a method in which a suitable accesspoint is selected among a plurality of wireless access points by makinguse of functional information such as functional information of electricfield strength, an IP (Internet Protocol) address, an access point andthe like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It should be noted that such various wireless communication meanshave advantages and disadvantages. In other words, data communicationcan be carried out at a lower price and at a higher speed in thewireless LAN in comparison with the cellular phone network. However, ina case where an apparatus is moving at high speed, the line mayfrequently be disconnected in such a wireless LAN. In specific, initialconnections and disconnections frequently occur not only in the case ofthe apparatus moving at high speed but also in a case of a wireless LANestablished along a highway on which such apparatuses frequently passes.

[0008] On the other hand, it is conceivable that wireless communicationmeans available in an information processing apparatus will growincreasingly diverse. In addition, wireless communication meansavailable in a single application will also diverse, as telephonesthrough a cellular phone network and IP telephones through a wirelessLAN, for example.

[0009] In such a situation where a plurality of wireless communicationmeans are available as described above, it is preferable that anappropriate one among the plurality of wireless communication means isprovided to a user.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of theabove-described points, and is to provide a portable informationterminal, a method of controlling a portable information terminal, aprogram of a method of controlling a portable information terminal and arecording medium having recorded therein a program of a method ofcontrolling a portable information terminal, which are capable ofproviding an appropriate wireless communication means to a user in asituation where a plurality of wireless communication means areavailable.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the presentinvention is applied to a portable information terminal having aplurality of wireless communication means and a controller forcontrolling the wireless communication means. The controller transmitsand receives data using corresponding wireless communication means inresponse to a request from an application program in accordance with acommunication management table in which at least wireless communicationmeans allowed to be used is described with regard to respectiveapplication programs.

[0012] In addition, in another aspect, the present invention is appliedto a control method of a portable information terminal having aplurality of wireless communication means. According to the method, datais transmitted and received using corresponding wireless communicationmeans in response to a request from an application program in accordancewith a communication management table in which at least wirelesscommunication means allowed to be used is described with regard torespective application programs.

[0013] In addition, in still another aspect, the present invention isapplied to a program of a method of controlling a portable informationterminal having a plurality of wireless communication means. Accordingto the program, data is transmitted and received using correspondingwireless communication means in response to a request from anapplication program in accordance with a communication management tablein which at least wireless communication means allowed to be used isdescribed with regard to respective application programs.

[0014] In addition, in a further another aspect, the present inventionis applied to a recording medium having recorded therein a program of amethod of controlling a portable information terminal having a pluralityof wireless communication means. According to the method, data istransmitted and received using corresponding wireless communicationmeans in response to a request from an application program in accordancewith a communication management table in which at least wirelesscommunication means allowed to be used is described with regard torespective application programs.

[0015] According to the present invention, data is transmitted andreceived using corresponding wireless communication means in response toa request from an application program in accordance with a communicationmanagement table in which at least wireless communication means allowedto be used is described with regard to respective application programsso that it becomes possible to transmit and receive data using wirelesscommunication means in conformity with respective application programs.Accordingly, in compliance with a description in the communicationmanagement table, it is possible to provide a user with appropriatewireless communication means in a situation where a plurality ofwireless communication means are available.

[0016] In addition, it is also possible to provide a method ofcontrolling a portable information terminal, a program of a method ofcontrolling a portable information terminal and a recording mediumhaving recorded therein a program of a method of controlling a portableinformation terminal, which are capable of providing appropriatewireless communication means to a user in the situation where aplurality of wireless communication means are available.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the followingdescription of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of theinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a portable information terminalaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a table showing a communication management table in theportable information terminal of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing processing steps in an arithmeticprocessing unit in the portable information terminal of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a portable information terminalaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing relationship between acellular network and a wireless LAN in a case of a portable informationterminal passing at a high speed.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing relationship between thecellular network and the wireless LAN in a case of the terminal passingat a low speed in comparison with FIG. 5.

[0024]FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a portable information terminalaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 8 is a table showing information regarding switching fromwireless communication means for a cellular phone to another wirelesscommunication means described in a communication management table in theportable information terminal of FIG. 7.

[0026]FIG. 9 is. a table showing information regarding switching fromwireless communication means for a wireless LAN to another wirelesscommunication means described in the communication management table inthe portable information terminal of FIG. 7.

[0027]FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing processing steps in an arithmeticprocessing unit in the portable information terminal of FIG. 7.

[0028]FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing processing steps switching to ahigher priority side in an arithmetic processing unit in the portableinformation terminal of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Now, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of thepresent invention will be described.

[0030] (1) First Embodiment

[0031] (1-1) Constitution of First Embodiment

[0032]FIG. 1 is a block diagram which shows a portable informationterminal 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.This portable information terminal 1 is a cellular phone which isconnectable to a wireless LAN. A user operates operating elements suchas buttons to run application programs (AP) 2A to 2N corresponding tothe operation. Various processing steps are carried out with theapplication programs 2A to 2N so as to connect to a cellular network ora wireless LAN if required.

[0033] In the portable information terminal 1, a transmitter/receiver 3is a transmitter/receiver operable in a PDC (Personal Digital Cellular)system, a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) system or thelike. Under control of a communication control program corresponding toa system thereof, the transmitter/receiver 3 sends various data inputfrom a signal processing unit 4 through an antenna 5, and, processes anRF signal received through the antenna 5 to output the processed data tothe signal processing unit 4. Similarly, the signal processing unit 4carries out modulation/demodulation on various data regarding to thedata communication so as to transmit to and receive from thetransmitter/receiver 3, under control of the corresponding communicationcontrol program. Accordingly, in the portable information terminal 1,the transmitter/receiver 3, the signal processing unit 4 and thecommunication control program controlling them constitute wirelesscommunication means based on a cellular network.

[0034] On the other hand, a transmitter/receiver 6 is atransmitter/receiver in conformity with IEEE (The Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11, HIPERLAN, and thelike. The transmitter/receiver 6 sends various data input from a signalprocessing unit 7 through an antenna 8, and, processes an RF signalreceived through the antenna 8 to output the processed data to thesignal processing unit 7, under control of a communication controlprogram corresponding thereto. Similarly, the signal processing unit 7carries out modulation/demodulation on various data regarding to thedata communication so as to transmit to and receive from thetransmitter/receiver 6, under control of the corresponding communicationcontrol program. Accordingly, in the portable information terminal 1,the transmitter/receiver 6, the signal processing unit 7 and thecommunication control program controlling them constitute wirelesscommunication means based on a wireless LAN.

[0035] Input/output (I/O) means 10 comprises input means and outputmeans. The input means comprises an operating element for selecting amenu corresponding to the application programs 2A to 2N, character inputmeans such as a touch panel, image capturing means having an imagecapturing mechanism, voice input means such as microphone for capturinguser's voice, and the like. The output means comprises display means fordisplaying input results and various images input through the inputmeans, voice output means for outputting voice, and the like.

[0036] The application programs 2A to 2N are programs previouslyinstalled in the portable information terminal 1. The portableinformation terminal 1 has at least an application program using acommunication function of the portable information terminal 1, as one ofsuch application programs. In this embodiment, an application programfor allowing the portable information terminal 1 to function as acellular phone, a browser software and an e-mail software are applied asthe application programs utilizing the communication function of theportable information terminal 1.

[0037] Each of the application programs 2A to 2N is activated by acentral controlling unit 12 which is constituted with an operatingsystem in accordance with a user's operation detected through the I/Omeans 10, and carries out predetermined processing steps in response tovarious operations by the user detected through the I/O means 10.

[0038] In the application program allowing the portable informationterminal 1 to function as a cellular phone, as a result of the series ofprocessing, a connection to a destination that the user desires isestablished through a communication management unit 16. Then, voice datais transmitted to and received from the target through atransmission/reception buffer 13, and the voice data is input to andoutput from the I/O means 10. The communication management unit 16includes an arithmetic processing unit (not shown) for executing acommunication management program, the transmission and reception buffer13, a system decision unit 20, an application judgment unit 18 and acommunication management table 17.

[0039] In addition, in accordance with the browser software, theportable information terminal 1 accesses a predetermined URL through thecommunication management program unit 16, receives various data obtainedfrom an Internet website of the URL through the transmission/receptionbuffer 13, and displays the data on the I/O means 10 and outputs thevoice data through the I/O means 10.

[0040] In addition, according to the e-mail software, the user receivesinput of e-mail through the I/O means 10. In addition, in accordancewith the e-mail software, the portable information terminal 1 accesses amail server through the communication management unit 16 and sends emailto the mail server through the transmission/reception buffer 13.Similarly, after acquiring the e-mail stored in the mail server throughthe transmission/reception buffer 13, the terminal 1 displays the e-mailon the I/O means 10. Here, the transmission/reception buffer 13 is abuffer memory for temporarily holding data which is generated throughexecution of the various application programs.

[0041] In addition, here, the communication management program is acontrol program previously installed in the portable informationterminal 1. The program manages operations of a communication controlprogram for a cellular network and a communication control program for awireless LAN. The communication management unit 16 allows, in responseto a request from the application programs 2A to 2N and in accordancewith a communication management table 17, the communication controlprogram for the cellular network and the communication control programfor the wireless LAN to operate selectively, and allows the wirelesscommunication mean corresponding to the selected one to transmit andreceive data.

[0042] Here, the communication management table 17 is a table whichdescribes the wireless communication means allowed to be used withrespect to each application program, as shown in FIG. 2. When oneapplication program allows a plurality of wireless communication meansto be used, priority is established. The communication management table17 is created by the user's setting in accordance with the communicationmanagement program.

[0043] In FIG. 2, the communication management table 17 is set so thatin a case of an application program in which the portable informationterminal 1 functions as a cellular phone (this case is shown as“TELEPHONE” in a corresponding column), wireless communication means fora cellular network is used, and in a case of a browser software (thiscase is shown as “WEB ACCESS” in a corresponding column), wirelesscommunication means for a wireless LAN is used. In addition, it is alsoset so that in a case of an e-mail software (this case is shown as“E-MAIL TRANSMISSION/RECEPTION), any of the wireless communication meansfor the cellular network and the wireless communication means for thewireless LAN is used, and further, the wireless communication means forthe cellular network is given priority to be used.

[0044] In response to a request from the application program, thecommunication management unit 16 recognizes the application program andselects wireless communication means corresponding to the applicationprogram with reference to the communication management table 17.Further, in accordance with a selection, a communication control programis activated so as to start transmitting/receiving data. In thisportable information terminal 1, an application judgment unit 18 fordetecting an application program requested is constituted with anarithmetic processing unit carrying out the communication managementprogram. In addition, the arithmetic processing unit executing thecommunication management program selects wireless communication meanswith reference to the communication management table 17 in accordancewith the detection result from the application judgment unit 18 andactivates corresponding wireless communication means so as to enabledata transmission/reception. The system decision unit 20 determines asystem used for data transmission/reception between thetransmission/reception buffer 13 and the corresponding wirelesscommunication means.

[0045] In a case where it is difficult to use the wireless communicationmeans thus selected, the communication management unit 16 activatesanother wireless communication means having a lower priority. By theway, such a case of difficulty includes a case where the user moves intoan area equipped with an incomplete cellular network. The communicationmanagement unit 16 determines whether or not it is difficult to use thecorresponding wireless communication means in response to thecorresponding communication control program. On the other hand, thecommunication control program notifies the communication management unit16 of whether or not the corresponding wireless communication isavailable in accordance with a detection result of a response to a callthrough a control channel in a stand-by mode.

[0046]FIG. 3 is a flow chart which shows processing steps by thearithmetic processing unit executing the communication managementprogram. When the arithmetic processing unit receives a request based onan application program, the process goes from step SP1 to step SP2 sothat the arithmetic processing unit detects the application programregarding the request using a function of the application judgment unit18 and refers to the communication management table 17 in accordancewith the detection result. Accordingly, the arithmetic processing unitdetects the wireless communication means allowed to be used with regardto the application program.

[0047] Further, in step SP3, the arithmetic processing unit exchangesdata through a communication control program constituting the detectedwireless communication means so as to detect whether or not the detectedwireless communication means is available.

[0048] After receiving a notice from the wireless communication meansdetected with reference to the communication management table 17regarding to whether it is available or not, the process goes to stepSP4 so as to determine whether or not there is an availablecommunication system. When there is no available system, the processgoes from step SP4 to step SP5, and the arithmetic processing unitnotifies the user of communication difficulty on the I/O means 10through the application program which issued the request or directly. Inaddition, the arithmetic processing unit notifies the applicationprogram which issued the request of data transmission/receptiondifficulty, and the process goes to step SP6 to complete the processingsteps.

[0049] On the other hand, when there is an available communicationsystem, the process goes from step SP4 to step SP7, and the arithmeticprocessing unit determines whether or not there are a plurality ofusable communication systems. When there are not a plurality ofavailable communication systems, the process goes to step SP8 so thatthe arithmetic processing unit decides to exchange data throughavailable wireless communication means and activates a communicationcontrol program corresponding to the decision so that datatransmission/reception can be possible, and then, the process goes tostep SP6.

[0050] On the other hand, when it is determined that there are aplurality of available communication systems in step SP7, the processgoes to step SP9 so that the arithmetic processing unit selects wirelesscommunication means in conformity with a higher priority system. At stepSP8 subsequent thereto, the arithmetic processing unit activates acommunication control program corresponding to the selected wirelesscommunication means so that data transmission/reception is possible, andthe process goes to step SP6.

[0051] Accordingly, the arithmetic processing unit executes thecommunication control program activated in a data-exchangeable manner soas to execute data transmission/reception in accordance with theapplication program related to the request.

[0052] (1-2) Operation of the First Embodiment

[0053] In the above-mentioned constitution, the portable informationterminal 1 accepts a setting regarding wireless communication means tobe used selected from the wireless communication means for the cellularnetwork and the wireless communication means for the wireless LAN withregard to each application program by a user's operation. This settingis stored and retained in the communication management table 17. Inaddition, when the user sets a plurality of wireless communicationprogram with regard to a single application program, establishment ofpriority is accepted and the priority is stored and retained in thecommunication management table 17.

[0054] In a case where the communication management table 17 set asdescribed above is in a condition as shown in FIG. 2 and when the useractivates an application program for a telephone, in response to arequest from the application program, the arithmetic processing unitrefers to the communication management table 17, and detects that theuser has selected data communication in a cellular network for theactivated application program, for example. According to the detectionresult, the portable information terminal 1 detects whether or not thedata communication is currently available using a communication controlprogram of wireless communication means operable in the cellularnetwork, and, when the data communication, that is, data exchange, isdifficult, the user is notified of the difficulty. When the datacommunication, that is, data exchange, is available, the wirelesscommunication means selected with reference to the communicationmanagement table 17 is activated and it establishes a connection to atarget destination so as to receive and transmit voice from and to thedestination.

[0055] Similarly, in a case where the user activates a browser software,since the wireless LAN is set for the browser software as shown in thecommunication management table 17 in FIG. 2, wireless communicationmeans operable in the wireless LAN is activated and the user can browsea desired Internet website through the wireless communication means.

[0056] Further, when the user activates an e-mail software, since thewireless LAN with a higher priority and the cellular network with alower priority are registered in the communication management table 17shown in FIG. 2, the portable information terminal 1 detects whether ornot data communication with these two wireless communication systems isavailable, that is, data exchange is available with these communicationsystems using a communication control program corresponding torespective communication systems. When both of the wireless LAN and thecellular network are available, the portable information terminal 1activates wireless communication means operable in the wireless LAN inaccordance with the priority set in the communication management table17, and a connection is established through the wireless communicationmeans so as to enable transmission and reception of e-mail.

[0057] On the other hand, when data communication is difficult in thewireless LAN with the higher priority, wireless communication means forthe cellular network with the next priority is activated to establish aconnection for transmitting and receiving e-mail. When datacommunication is difficult even in the cellular network, the user isnotified of the difficulty.

[0058] According to the above-described operation, in the portableinformation terminal 1 of the present embodiment, the desired wirelesscommunication means is automatically selected with regard to eachapplication program, among a plurality of available wirelesscommunication means, in accordance with the user's setting in advance.Thus, in the situation where a plurality of wireless communication meansare available, appropriate wireless communication means is provided tothe user.

[0059] (1-3) Effect of the First Embodiment

[0060] According to the above constitution, with reference to thecommunication management table in which at least wireless communicationmeans which is allowed to be used is written with regard to respectiveapplication programs, wireless communication means is selectively usedin accordance with the application program so that appropriate wirelesscommunication means is provided to the user in the situation where aplurality of wireless communication means are available.

[0061] Accordingly, the application program can be comfortably used, andfurther, operation that the user intends regarding the applicationprogram can be assured.

[0062] In addition, at that time, since the wireless communication meansindicated to be allowable in the communication management table is thewireless communication means that the user permits to be used, it ispossible to provide wireless communication means which the user desiresto the user.

[0063] In addition, in the case where a plurality of wirelesscommunication means are allowed to be used for a single applicationprogram, the communication management table is constituted to havepriority established and the data transmission/reception is carried outusing corresponding wireless communication means in accordance with theestablished priority so that data communication can be possible byappropriately switching wireless communication means in accordance withthe priority which the user desires even in a case where one of wirelesscommunication means has difficulty in data communication.

[0064] (2) Second Embodiment

[0065]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a portable information terminal31 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In thefollowing description regarding the portable information terminal 31,elements similar to those in the portable information terminal 1described above with reference to FIG. 1 are shown with the samereference numerals and repeated description is omitted.

[0066] In the portable information terminal 31, a communicationmanagement unit 36 transmits and receives data using wirelesscommunication means corresponding to a request from an applicationprogram, with reference to a communication management table 37, as inthe case of the first embodiment. In the processing, the communicationmanagement unit 36 detects using a detector 39 whether or not datatransmission and reception by wireless communication means is possible,and update the communication management table 37 appropriately inaccordance with the detection result. Accordingly, in the presentembodiment, wireless communication means capable of datatransmission/reception is recorded in the communication management table37, as the wireless communication means allowed to be used.

[0067] In other words, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, comparing thewireless LAN and the cellular network, the wireless LAN has a narrowercommunication area so that disconnection occurs in the wireless LAN whenthe portable information terminal 31 moves at high speed. Accordingly,in such a case, a communication system which the user can usecomfortably is limited to the cellular network.

[0068] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, in a case where theportable information terminal 31 moves at low speed, any of the wirelessLAN and the cellular network can be used. In addition, if the portablecommunication terminal is to go beyond the communication area of thewireless LAN, data exchange can be continued by a handover processing tothe cellular network.

[0069] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the detector 39 detects themoving speed of the portable information terminal 31 using a function ofa built-in GPS (Global Positioning System). In the case of moving athigh speed, the wireless LAN is set disabled in the communicationmanagement table 17. Conversely, in the case of moving at low speed, thedisabled setting of the wireless LAN in the communication managementtable 17 is enabled. According to such operations, in the presentinvention, whether or not data transmission/reception through thewireless communication means is possible is detected with reference tothe moving speed of the terminal, the contents in the communicationmanagement table 17 are dynamically updated depending on the detectionresult.

[0070] The communication management unit 36 switches wirelesscommunication means used for data transmission/reception depending onthe update of the communication management table 17 when the table isupdated in this way so as to effectively avoid disconnection during thedata communication.

[0071] According to the constitution of FIG. 4, whether or not the datatransmission/reception through the wireless communication means ispossible is detected so as to update the communication management tablein accordance with the detection result. Thus, in addition to theeffects of the first embodiment, the user can be provided with furthersuitable wireless communication means.

[0072] In addition, by switching the wireless communication means usedfor data transmission/reception depending on such update of thecommunication management table, disconnection during the datacommunication can be effectively avoided and a stable communication canbe assured.

[0073] (3) Third Embodiment

[0074]FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a portable information terminal61 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In thefollowing description regarding the portable information terminal 61,elements similar to those in the portable information terminal 1described above with reference to FIG. 1 are shown with the samereference numerals and repeated description is omitted.

[0075] The portable information terminal 61 comprises wirelesscommunication means for a wireless LAN, wireless communication means fora cellular phone network, and wireless communication means for a PHS(Personal Handy Phone System). The wireless communication means for thewireless LAN is composed of a transmitter/receiver 6, a signalprocessing unit 7 and a wireless communication program for managing thetransmitter/receiver 6 and the signal processing unit 7. The wirelesscommunication means for the cellular phone is composed of atransmitter/receiver 62, a signal processing unit 63 and a wirelesscommunication program for managing the transmitter/receiver 62 and thesignal processing unit 63. The wireless communication means for the PHSis composed of a transmitter/receiver 64, a signal processing unit 65and a wireless communication program for managing thetransmitter/receiver 64 and the signal processing unit 65.

[0076] According to the above-described arrangement, the portableinformation terminal 61 has, in comparison with the portable informationterminals 1 and 31 according to the embodiments described above, largernumber of selectable wireless communication means, and it is possible tocarry out assured data communication by switching these large number ofwireless communication means.

[0077] In a communication management unit 66 of the portable informationterminal 61, information showing relationship between applicationprograms which are the same kind but function differently from eachother and a wireless communication means, and information restricting afunction of an application program are recorded in a communicationmanagement table 67 with regard to each wireless communication means,respectively. The communication management unit 66 switches theapplication program in accordance with the information indicating therelationship, or switches the function of the application program inaccordance with the information restricting the function after switchingthe wireless communication means.

[0078] In other words, when a specific application program is used,there may occurs a case where data communication is available with afurther appropriate communication system in comparison with thecommunication system currently in use. In addition, conversely, theremay be a case where the communication system currently in use becomesdisabled and should be switched to another communication system whilethe specific application program is being used.

[0079] In a case of switching the communication system in this way,there may occur a case where a normal data communication is notavailable any more through the processing of the application programwhich has been previously used due to a large change in data transferrate.

[0080] In other words, it is a case where data communication in thewireless LAN became difficult to be switched to the wirelesscommunication means for the cellular phone in a case where wirelesscommunication means for the wireless LAN, whose data transfer rate isrelatively large, has been previously used for data communicationthrough an application program of video phones. In this case, althoughcommunication via the videophone becomes difficult, normal voicecommunication can be maintained. In other words, in this case, if theapplication program for the videophone has a communication function onlythrough a normal voice communication, the communication function throughthe video phone carried out by the application program is switched tothe communication function through the voice communication so that thecommunication can be maintained even when the wireless communicationmeans is switched. In addition, in a case where such switching of thefunctions is not available, an application program for the voicecommunication is activated instead of the application program for thevideophone so that the communication can be maintained through theapplication program for the voice communication.

[0081] In addition, conversely, in a case of the voice communicationusing the wireless communication means for the cellular phone and thewireless communication means for the wireless LAN becomes available andthe wireless communication means is switched, the communication onlythrough voice can be switched to the communication through the videophone by switching the application program or by switching the functionof the application program.

[0082] According to the operation, in specific, information regardingswitching to another wireless communication means, including oneindicating relationship with the application program which is the samekind but has a different function and another restricting the functionof a single application program is recorded, with regard to eachwireless communication means, in the communication management table 67.

[0083]FIG. 8 is a chart showing these kinds of information with regardto the wireless communication means for the cellular phone at the timeof switching to the other wireless communication means. Referring toFIG. 8, first, an example of the application program regarding atelephone will be described. When the wireless communication means isswitched to the one for the PHS and the one for the wireless LAN, a casewhere retransmission requests frequently occur in the wirelesscommunication means for the cellular phone and a line is to be forcedlydisconnected is recorded in a corresponding column for the wirelesscommunication means as a switching requirement. In FIG. 8, such arequirement is indicated in parentheses as “FORCED DISCONNECTION”. Whenswitching to the wireless communication means for the PHS, it isdescribed in a column corresponding to the PHS that the function oftelephone is maintained.

[0084] In FIG. 8, this is shown as “TELEPHONE” in the correspondingcolumn. In addition, in a case of switching to the wireless LAN, it isdescribed in the column of the wireless LAN that the function isswitched to e-mail system through a voice-mail system in which a voiceis transmitted and received as an attached file. This case is describedin FIG. 8 as “E-MAIL” “VOICEMAIL”. In the case of such a voicemail, ifthe application program for the cellular phone has a function ofvoicemail, functions of the application program other than the functionof voicemail are disabled. On the other hand, if the application programfor the cellular phone does not have the function of voicemail, ane-mail software having the function of the voicemail and an applicationprogram related thereto are activated.

[0085] Next, an example of an application regarding e-mailtransmission/reception will be described. A case where datacommunication through each of the wireless LAN and the PHS becomeavailable is described in each of the columns of the wireless LAN andthe PHS as a requirement of switching. Such a requirement is indicatedin parentheses as “AVAILABILITY DETECTED” in FIG. 8. In addition, it isdescribed in each corresponding column in FIG. 8 that upon switching thewireless communication means, the function of e-mailtransmission/reception, that is, the application for the e-mailtransmission/reception, is maintained and that the wireless LAN has ahigher priority than the PHS.

[0086] In addition, with regard to an application program for thevideophone, a case where data communication through each of the wirelessLAN and the PHS is available, is described in each of the columns as arequirement for switching. Upon switching to the PHS, switching from thevideophone to communication only through voice is described in acorresponding column, as “TELEPHONE” in FIG. 8. Upon switching to thewireless LAN, it is described in a corresponding column that thefunction of videophone is maintained, as “VIDEOPHONE”.

[0087]FIG. 9 is a chart showing these kinds of information at the timeof switching from the wireless communication means for wireless LAN tothe other wireless communication means. In the wireless LAN, datatransfer rate is extremely higher than the other wireless communicationmeans employed in the present embodiment. Therefore, in this case, it isdescribed in the columns corresponding to the wireless communicationmeans for the cellular phone that no switching is performed with regardto the e-mail software and the browser software. Such a case isdescribed in the FIG. 9 with x. With regard to the e-mail software, uponswitching to the PHS, a case where retransmission requests frequentlyoccur in the wireless communication means for the wireless LAN and aline is to be forcedly disconnected is recorded in a correspondingcolumn as a switching requirement. This is shown with the word “FORCEDDISCONNECTION” in parentheses in the column. In addition, it is alsodescribed in the column that the function of e-mail is maintained.

[0088] With regard to the browser software, it is described that noswitching is performed with regard to the PHS. In addition, in thevideophone, a case where a line is to be forcedly disconnected isrecorded in each of the columns of the wireless communication means as aswitching requirement. FIG. 9 indicates such a requirement as in “FORCEDDISCONNECTION” in parentheses. It is described that upon switching tothe PHS, the function of the videophone is maintained (“VIDEOPHONE” inFIG. 9) and, upon switching to the cellular phone, the function islimited only to the voice communication (“TELEPHONE” in FIG. 9), in acorresponding column.

[0089] Accordingly, the communication management unit 66 monitors, evenin a case of exchanging data through single wireless communicationmeans, a status of the wireless communication means by exchanging databetween the communication control program of the wireless communicationmeans currently exchanging data and the communication control program ofthe other wireless communication means, so as to appropriately switchthe wireless communication means in accordance with the description inthe communication management table 67. In response to the switching, thefunction of the application program is restricted or the otherapplication program is activated in accordance with the record in thecommunication management table 67.

[0090]FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing processing steps which anarithmetic processing unit for executing the communication managementprogram in the communication management unit 66 at the time of switchingto the wireless communication means having a lower priority. Thepriority below described in an order depending on the data transferrate. The one with a higher transfer rate is given a higher priority.The arithmetic processing unit carries out the processing steps at aconstant time interval. The process goes from step SP11 to step SP12 sothat the arithmetic processing unit determines whether or not any of thewireless communication means is in use through an application program.If it is judged there is no means in use, the process goes to step SP13to terminate the processing.

[0091] On the other hand, if it is judged that there is any means inuse, the process goes from step SP12 to step SP14. Here, the arithmeticprocessing unit judges possibility of the system of the wirelesscommunication means in use will be disabled. The possibility to bedisabled is judged depending on a frequency of the above-mentionedretransmission requests. If it is judged that there is no possibility,the process goes from step SP13 from step SP14 and the arithmeticprocessing unit terminates the processing.

[0092] On the other hand, if there is any possibility that it will bedifficult to use the wireless communication means currently in use, thestep goes from step SP14 to step SP15. At the step SP15, it is judgedwhether or not there is other available wireless communication means.Here, the judgment depends on a response from the other communicationcontrol programs. If it is judged that there is no available wirelesscommunication means, the process goes from step SP15 to step SP13 sothat the arithmetic processing unit terminates the processing. On theother hand, if it is judged that there is any available wirelesscommunication means at step SP15, the process goes from step SP15 tostep SP16. Here the arithmetic processing unit switches the wirelesscommunication means in accordance with the description in thecommunication management table 67 and, at the same time, restricts thefunction of the application program or activates another applicationprogram. Then, the process goes to step SP 13, and the processing isfinished.

[0093]FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing processing steps which anarithmetic processing unit for executing the communication managementprogram in the communication management unit 66 at the time of switchingto the The arithmetic processing unit carries out the processing stepsat a constant time interval. The process goes from step SP21 to stepSP22 so that the arithmetic processing unit determines whether or notany of the wireless communication means is in use through an applicationprogram. If there is no means in use, the process goes to step SP23 toterminate the processing.

[0094] On the other hand, if it is judged that there is any means in useat step SP22, the process goes from step SP22 to step SP24. Thearithmetic processing unit judges whether or not there is other wirelesscommunication means available with higher priority. Here, the judgmentdepends on a response from the other communication control programs. Ifit is judged that there is no available wireless communication meanswith higher priority, the process goes from step SP24 to step SP23 sothat the arithmetic processing unit terminates the processing. On theother hand, if it is judged that there is any available wirelesscommunication means with higher priority at step SP24, the process goesfrom step SP24 to step SP25. Here the arithmetic processing unitswitches the wireless communication means in accordance with thedescription in the communication management table 67 and, at the sametime, restricts the function of the application program or activatesanother application program. Then, the process goes to step SP 23, andthe processing is finished.

[0095] According to FIG. 7, information indicating relationship betweenan application program and another application program which are thesame kind but function differently from each other, and informationrestricting a function of an application program are recorded withregard to each wireless communication means to form a communicationmanagement table. In response to the switching of the wirelesscommunication means, the function of the application program is switchedin accordance with these kinds of information so that further suitablewireless communication means can be provided to the user.

[0096] (4) Other Embodiments

[0097] In the second embodiment, the case where the moving speed of theportable information terminal is detected using the built-in GPS hasbeen described. However, the present invention is not limited to thecase. In a case of in-vehicle equipment, the moving speed may bedetected using a car audio system or using a mechanism of a speed meter.

[0098] In addition, in the above embodiment, the case of detectingwhether or not the data transmission/reception is possible dependingupon the moving speed, the response from a base station and thefrequency of the retransmission requests has been described. However,the present invention is not limited to the case. Various judgingmethods can be widely applied to the present invention, for example,depending upon the frequency of error occurrence and electric fieldstrength.

[0099] In addition, in the above embodiment, the case of using theapplication programs including the e-mail software and the browsersoftware has been described. However, the present invention is notlimited to the case. The present invention may be widely applied tocases where wireless communication means is used fortransmission/reception of various data, including a case of using abrowser software for video delivered through streaming.

[0100] In addition, the case of using wireless communication means forPHS, cellular phone and wireless LAN has been described in the aboveembodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the case.The present invention may be widely applied to cases of using othervarious wireless communication means.

[0101] In addition, the case of executing the series of processingthrough the processing program previously installed has been describedin the above embodiment. However, the present invention is not limitedto the case. The series of processing may be executed through aprocessing program obtained via a network or may be executed byinstalling a program provided through various recording media. Suchrecording media include a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a magnetictape and the like.

[0102] Although the invention has been described in its preferred formwith a certain degree of particularity, obviously many changes andvariations are possible therein. It is therefore to be understood thatthe present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed herein without departing from the scope and the sprit thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable information terminal comprising aplurality of wireless communication means and a controller forcontrolling said plurality of wireless communication means, wherein:said controller transmits and receives data using corresponding wirelesscommunication means in response to a request from an application programin accordance with a communication management table in which at leastwireless communication means allowed to be used is described with regardto respective application programs.
 2. The portable information terminalas claimed in claim 1, wherein: said wireless communication meansallowed to be used is wireless communication means which a user allowsto be used.
 3. The portable information terminal as claimed in claim 1,wherein: said communication management table has priority establishedtherein in a case a plurality of wireless communication means areallowed to be used for a single application program, and said controllertransmits and receives data using corresponding wireless communicationmeans in accordance with said priority.
 4. The portable informationterminal as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a detector fordetecting whether or not data transmission/reception using said wirelesscommunication means allowed to be used is possible, wherein: saidcontroller updates said communication management table in accordancewith a detection result by said detector.
 5. The portable informationterminal as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said controller switches saidwireless communication means used for data transmission/receptiondepending on an update of said communication management table.
 6. Theportable information terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein: saidcommunication management table has recorded therein informationindicating relationship between said wireless communication means andapplication programs which are the same kind but function differentlyfrom each other or information restricting a function of a singleapplication program with regard to said wireless communication means,and said controller switches the application program in accordance withthe information indicating the relationship or switches the function ofthe application program in accordance with the information restrictingthe function in response to switching the wireless communication means.7. A method of controlling a portable information terminal having aplurality of wireless communication means, comprising the step of:transmitting and receiving data using corresponding wirelesscommunication means in response to a request from an application programin accordance with a communication management table in which at leastwireless communication means allowed to be used is described with regardto respective application programs.
 8. The method of controlling aportable information terminal as claimed in claim 7, wherein: saidwireless communication means allowed to be used is wirelesscommunication means which a user allows to be used.
 9. The method ofcontrolling a portable information terminal as claimed in claim 7,wherein: said communication management table has priority establishedtherein in a case a plurality of wireless communication means areallowed to be used for a single application program, and said step oftransmitting and receiving data is carried out using correspondingwireless communication means in accordance with said priority.
 10. Themethod of controlling a portable information terminal as claimed inclaim 7, further comprising the step of: updating said communicationmanagement table depending on a detection result by a detector fordetecting whether or not data transmission/reception through saidwireless communication means allowed to be used is possible.
 11. Themethod of controlling a portable information terminal as claimed inclaim 10, further comprising the step of: switching said wirelesscommunication means used for data transmission/reception depending on anupdate of said communication management table.
 12. The method ofcontrolling a portable information terminal as claimed in claim 7,wherein: said communication management table has recorded thereininformation indicating relationship between said wireless communicationmeans and application programs which are the same kind but functiondifferently from each other or information restricting a function of asingle application program with regard to said wireless communicationmeans, further comprising the step of: switching the application programin accordance with the information indicating the relationship orswitches the function of the application program in accordance with theinformation restricting the function in response to switching thewireless communication means.
 13. A program of a method of controlling aportable information terminal having a plurality of wirelesscommunication means, wherein: data is transmitted and received using acorresponding wireless communication means in response to a request froman application program in accordance with a communication managementtable in which at least wireless communication means allowed to be usedis described with regard to respective application programs.
 14. Theprogram of a control method of portable information terminal as claimedin claim 13, wherein: said wireless communication means allowed to beused is wireless communication means which a user allows to be used. 15.The program of a control method of portable information terminal asclaimed in claim 13, wherein: said communication management table haspriority established therein in a case a plurality of wirelesscommunication means are allowed to be used for a single applicationprogram, and data is transmitted and received using correspondingwireless communication means in accordance with said priority.
 16. Theprogram of a control method of portable information terminal as claimedin claim 13, wherein: said communication management table is updateddepending on a detection result by a detector for detecting whether ornot data transmission/reception through said wireless communicationmeans allowed to be used is possible.
 17. The program of a controlmethod of portable information terminal as claimed in claim 16, wherein:said wireless communication means used for data transmission/receptionis switched depending on an update of said communication managementtable.
 18. The program of a control method of portable informationterminal as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said communication managementtable has recorded therein information indicating relationship,betweensaid wireless communication means and application programs which are thesame kind but function differently from each other or informationrestricting a function of a single application program with regard tosaid wireless communication means, and said application program isswitched in accordance with the information indicating the relationshipor the function of the application program in switched in accordancewith the information restricting the function in response to switchingthe wireless communication means.
 19. A recording medium having recordedtherein a program of a method of controlling a portable informationterminal having a plurality of wireless communication means, wherein:said control method comprises the step of transmitting and receivingdata using corresponding wireless communication means in response to arequest from an application program in accordance with a communicationmanagement table in which at least wireless communication means allowedto be used is described with regard to respective application programs.